Dried shredded squid makes tasty Korean side dish. Slightly spicy and sweet, it’s a popular Korean lunchbox item and wonderful to serve with rice.

Korean shredded squid side dish is on a greet plate with a pair of chopsticks.

When I was a young school girl in Korea, lunch time was always the happiest moment during the entire day at school. We didn’t have any school cafeteria where I could purchase a lunch, which means my mother always had to make a lunchbox for me. Well, she had to make 5 of them because she had 5 children. What a work for her!

I didn’t realize how much of an effort she had to put to make 5 lunchboxes every morning until I became a mother and made lunchbox for my children. The difference is that I only need to make 2 and I do it every once in a while.

Korean dried shredded squid

Dried and shredded squid strips are out of plastic package.

There was one lunchbox dish that my mother often made. It was the spicy shredded squid side dish. Chewy with slightly sweet and spicy seasoning, it was one my absolute favorite.

These dried shredded squid strips are called “jinmichae (진미채) or ojinguh-chae (오징어채)”. You can find it in a Korean grocery store. Some people like to eat the way it is right out of the package. My daughter loves to eat it as a snack – quite tasty.

It is super easy to make and you can store this side dish in the fridge quite a long time, about 2 weeks.

Try Jangjorim (Soy Braised Beef) or Myulchi Bokkeum (Anchovy Stir-Fry) for more protein packed side dishes.

How to make Korean shredded squid side dish

Shredded squids are removed from the soaking water in a bowl.

First, rinse out the shredded squid in water, then squeeze out to remove the excess water. Set aside.

Gochujang and other seasonings are added to a skillet.

In a non-stick skillet, combine all the sauce ingredients.

Sweet and savory gochujang sauce is boiling in a pan.

Bring them to boil and thicken.

Moistened shredded squid strips are added to the gohujang sauce.

Add the shredded squids and toss well to coat evenly all over. 

Korean shredded squid side dish is garnished with sesame seeds in a skillet.

Sprinkle some sesame seeds and it is good to go.

Korean squid side dish is served on a green plate with chopsticks.

I will tell you one simple thing you can make with this spicy shredded squid. Make Kimbap with it! All you need is rice, this spicy squid and some crunch vegetable of your choice. Spread over a sheet of seaweed, then roll it up. You will love the taste.

As I mentioned, this side dish stores very well, about 2 weeks. So you get to enjoy for a long time. Mine never lasted that long, though. Hope you get to find the shredded squid and try yourself.

Korean shredded squid side dish is on a greet plate with a pair of chopsticks.

Spicy Shredded Squid Side Dish

Dried shredded squid make a tasty Korean side dish. It is cooked with sweet and savory gochujang sauce. This chewy side dish is a popular item for Korean lunch box.
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Ingredients

Instructions 

  • Rinse the shredded squid in the water a few times, then squeeze out to remove the excess water. Set aside.
  • In a non-stick skillet, cook garlic until fragrant and add the rest of the ingredient except the sesame seeds. Bring to gentle boil and thicken.
  • Add the shredded squid and toss well to coat evenly. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and toss. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

The dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.
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